"It was just an opportunity for my sister and (me) to receive an American education and receive the opportunities that America has to offer," Thomas said.

Part of coming to America includes becoming a full-fledged Olympian in a sport that he quite possibly was born into.

"My mom was actually pregnant with me at a skating practice for my sister, and she had to give birth in the middle of my sister's practice," Thomas said.

WBAL-TV 11 News caught up with Thomas via Skype as he trained in Salt Lake City, not long after trials that landed him his dream.

"I actually gave myself a pretty nerve-wracking weekend. I made some mistakes. I didn't really qualify for the Olympic team until the very last day, nearly at the very last moment," Thomas said. "Honestly, it was such a relief for it to finally come true."

Back home in Maryland, the hearts of the Hong family are ready.

"I'm very proud of him for not giving up. His dream of making the Olympic team came true," said Thomas' mother, Hang Jung Hong.

As a young boy, Thomas wanted to go home.

"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to skate in South Korea," he said.

So now he will -- as an Olympian.

"I'm going over there to race my best race, and that's all I'm focused on," Thomas said.